TNTP Blog

Who Are the Next Bold Leaders in Education?

In 2016, we launched TNTP’s Bridge Fellowship. We wanted to create a platform for leaders from diverse backgrounds and sectors to advance new ideas for education—ideas that might not otherwise get the attention they deserve. Today, we’re thrilled to open applications for the second Bridge Fellowship cohort. We’re looking for bold activists, innovative entrepreneurs, creative problem-solvers: anyone with big ideas for helping students of color thrive in school—and in life.

Last year, the Bridge Fellows focused on improving outcomes for boys and young men of color. From building a program to support previously incarcerated young men to creating opportunities for students to explore careers in tech, the 2016 Fellows spent their fellowship year developing ideas with game-changing potential for students.

Here’s what they have to say:

What’s next? Since welcoming the inaugural Fellows, we’ve seen a turbulent political climate threatening students and families across the country. We’ve also seen powerful acts of mobilization and solidarity. Today, there’s ever more need for leaders like the Bridge Fellows to serve as passionate advocates for students.

This year, we’re asking candidates to submit proposals for projects that will give all students of color richer experiences inside and outside the classroom. We’re particularly interested in voices that are underrepresented in education, including those from the communities with whom we partner. Projects may draw on disciplines within and beyond education, but they should have a clear, practical application for the schools and communities TNTP serves. 

We believe that to achieve equity in our schools, we need new ideas that will spark change for students who have been poorly served by our current policies and practices. Will you join us?

Applications for the TNTP Bridge Fellowship are open now through September 2nd

Imali Ariyarathne, seventh-grade teacher at Langston Hughes Academy, stands in front of her students while introducing them to the captivating world of science

Imali Ariyarathne, seventh-grade teacher at Langston Hughes Academy, introduces her students to the captivating world of science.

About TNTP

TNTP is the nation’s leading research, policy, and consulting organization dedicated to transforming America’s public education system, so that every generation thrives.

Today, we work side-by-side with educators, system leaders, and communities across 39 states and over 6,000 districts nationwide to reach ambitious goals for student success.

Yet the possibilities we imagine push far beyond the walls of school and the education field alone. We are catalyzing a movement across sectors to create multiple pathways for young people to achieve academic, economic, and social mobility.

Learn More About TNTP